Ethics Involved in Supervision - Essay Example

Case Study: The Ethics Involved In Supervision Case Study: The Ethics Involved In Supervision Morality or ethics has raised many concerns in the field of education, especially in supervision. Despite the enormous research that has been conducted by researchers concerning ethics in this field, ethical dilemmas continue to reveal themselves between supervises and their subordinate members. This has caused untold pressure to different supervisors, who are unable to explain the form of unethical behavior exhibited by their heads. Occurrence of ethical dilemmas calls for application of ethical decision-making models to help in developing and reaching an ethical decision while upholding morality. An ethical decision is described as a conclusion, which is in line with the law and one that meets the moral standards of the community. This requires involves involved in an ethical dilemma to use models of ethical decision making when resolving cases of unethical behavior. In our case, the head of our department included himself as the sole author of the investigated issue with a clear knowledge that the research ideas provided were not his own. Indicated my name and my colleagues in the appendix portrayed us as members who remained passive in the course of investigations. This case study involves two ethical dilemmas including direct and vicarious liability and informed consent. The head of department caused the ethical dilemmas that we experienced because he authored our own work without informing us. Putting our names on the appendices showed lack of respect, recognition and acknowledgement of the information we had presented to him, which he actually copied and handed over as if it was his personal research. This form of unethical behavior caused us pain and we saw the need for resolving it using models of decision-making. Another ethical dilemma involved in the case study is informed consent. The head of department had the knowledge that the information he is presenting to the dean, which contains the research conducted is a contribution of three individuals. By so doing, he should have included their names in the authors section instead of listing them in the appendices. This would have accredited them as part of authors of this research and prevent the cause of conflicts arising. Inclusion of their names in the research would have qualified the as partakers and allow them to go through both the rough and completed draft after compiling the information (Watley & May, 2004). After realizing the ethical dilemma, the first thing I would do is to find a solution to the unethical behavior that has occurred. Although I would encounter various challenges before developing the best way possible, I would prefer to apply ethics in supervision and teaching fields in resolving this issue. There would be the possibility of not coming up with the right method of solving this problem because I am not aware of my colleague’s reactions. It is, however, possible to come up with a solution through application of Rest’s four-step ethical decision-making model. This model is very significant in solving ethical issues because it involves a sequential process based on morality. This model follows four steps, which include recognition of moral dilemma, creating a moral opinion, development of moral objective and employing moral behavior. Following the four steps of resolving unethical behavior as explained in Rest’s four-step ethical decision-making model, I would first engage my colleague to determining the ethical situation that has occurred (May & Pauli, 2002). For this case study, we have identified various ethical issues that have taken place, which call for making of a decision. This will lead us to make a moral judgment, which will lead us to achieving moral responses to justify the unethical actions. Development of a moral judgment is in many times challenging and this hinders involved parties from reaching potential responses. The process of looking for a conclusion using this model requires one to be morally motivated. This is because it is easy for one to forget of their moral values and act unethically. I would as my colleague that we remain calm as we consider the effectiveness of the moral values we have chosen as opposed to other values that could help in reaching a conclusion. After making our choice and the possible actions to take, we will consider upholding moral behaviors even in the course of work with our supervisor. This will help us in behaving in accordance with our intentions. Use of this model in developing the solution to the unethical problem we are facing will be of great benefit in different ways. For instance, the model makes use of a system process, with each step guiding us to an ethical solution, which will be achieved in a moral manner. Additionally, the decision making process involved in this model will help us to first identify the ethical dilemma to solve and provide us with the best alternatives that we can employ to reach a conclusion without violating the law and observing what the society considers moral. On a different perspective, application of this model is beneficial in that it arouses moral reasoning (Corey, Core & Callanan, 2007). This will enable us to develop decisions and solutions without violating the rights of our supervisor. We also need to observe the consequences of our actions towards our jobs and working environment to ensure that the unethical issue does not evoke other problems or challenges we have been encountering as a department. This will help us to work in coordination even as we seek to find a solution to the ethical dilemma facing us as members of same department. Reliance on this model in solving ethical dilemmas poses various challenges especially to those who have been offended. Firstly, this model incorporates various processes, each of which must be followed to ensure a moral decision has been reached (Wimbush & Shepard, 1994). This makes the process of finding a solution to be long, tiresome and time consuming. Many individuals do not have the patience to wait until the four processes have been accomplished for a solution to be found. Another limitation attached to this model is that one might find himself or herself acting unethically, a factor that could affect the manner in which the ethical dilemma will be resolved. This is facilitated by individual’s behavior and character, and most of them consider taking the law in their hands provided their rights have been violated. This is caused by lack of moral motivation, which expects individuals to uphold their morality during the period when the ethical dilemma is being resolved. Another limitation is that some individuals are overcome by the influence of emotions, which forces them to portray unethical behavior, even when they had chosen moral process of decision making in resolving their ethical dilemmas. This is caused by lack of moral sensitivity, which hinders affective reactions. References Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2007). Issues and ethics in the helping professions. CengageBrain. com. May, D. R., & Pauli, K. P. (2002). The Role of Moral Intensity in Ethical Decision Making A Review and Investigation of Moral Recognition, Evaluation, and Intention. Business & Society, 41(1), 84-117. Watley, L. D., & May, D. R. (2004). Enhancing moral intensity: The roles of personal and consequential information in ethical decision-making. Journal of Business Ethics, 50(2), 105-126. Wimbush, J. C., & Shepard, J. M. (1994). Toward an understanding of ethical climate: Its relationship to ethical behavior and supervisory influence. Journal of Business Ethics, 13(8), 637-647. Read More